RELIEF WORK IS UNDER REVIEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 8

RELIEF WORK IS UNDER REVIEW.

FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS MEETING TO-DAY. A meeting of the Finance Committee of the Unemployment Committee was held this morning. There were present:—Mr J. W. Beanland (chairman), Messrs George Harper, R. J. Ecroyd, N. H. Graham and J. S. Barnett. Correspondence was received from Mr H. E. Barnsley, acting secretary of the Unemployment Relief Association, thanking the committee for its assistance during last year. A letter was received from the Unemployment Board, Wellington, stating that the board was unable to contribute to the administrative expenses of committees operating under the No. 2 Scheme, as such committees were required to operate on a voluntary basis. In regard to subsidies under the No. 2 Scheme, the board asked for fuller details about the work being undertaken by the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, as to the duration, probable cost and number of men required for the work. The matter will be brought up before the board when it resumes sitting. Two letters were recevied from farmers intimating that they would provide work (1) for one man for four days and (2) five men for one week, under the 7s for 7s subsidy plan. Mr Beanland said that the men who

were given work over Christmas appreciated what had been done for them, and, with one or two exceptions, all had done their best. It was a pity that .more work could not be provided owing to lack of funds.

A motion that the Unemployment Board be written to asking that further work or sustenance should be given to the unemployed was carried. The report of the Unemployment Board on the No. 2 Scheme, £1 for £1 subsidy, for the week ended December 29, showed authorised expenditure to be £277 14s. One hundred and five men had been helped, there were fourteen applications from employers pending, and the number of men to be assisted from these was fourteen.

Mr Beanland congratulated the council staff on their good work. Employment had been found for all the men, and not merely sustenance paid out. Mr F. L. Hutchinson, of the Unemployment Board, said that farmers should take advantage of the unemployed men for labour, as they were insured by the State against injury. Many farmers thought they were liable for any injuries received while the men were working for them.